Mărțișor, an informal spring holiday celebrated in Moldova and Romania

Public holidays in the Republic of Moldova refer to the celebrated non-working days established by the Government of Moldova and valid for the whole territory of the country. Autonomous territorial units Gagauzia and Transnistria, as well cities, communes and cantonal authorities also establish local holidays, which are, however, not non-working days. There are 14 nationally celebrated holidays in the modern Moldova. Most holidays celebrated in the Republic of Moldova recognize events or people from Moldovan history. Most retail businesses close on New Year's and Independence Day, but remain open on all other holidays. Private businesses often observe only the big holidays such as the New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Victory Day, Independence Day, Labour Day, Romanian Language Day and Christmas.

The holiday season in the winter traditionally ran between New Year's Day until Old new Year's Day. As of 2009, the holiday season now officially begins with Western Christmas on 25 December, now a legal holiday in the Republic of Moldova. The holiday seasons gets underway much earlier with the official lighting of the capital city Chișinău's Christmas tree at the end of November or very beginning of December, when other than Christmas, some locals celebrate Winter solstice, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. The Summer holiday season traditionally (though unofficially) starts in May with celebrations of anniversary of most important localities (Bălți, 21 May) and culminates in the end of August with the celebrations of the Independence Day and the Romanian Language Day.

National holidays

These holidays are designated by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with the legislation of the country.IT

DateOfficial nameRemarks
1 JanuaryNew Year's DayCelebrates beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Festivities include counting down to midnight (12:00 AM) on the preceding night, New Year's Eve. Traditional beginning of holiday season.
7-8 JanuaryOrthodox Christmas
8 MarchInternational Women's Day
April/MayOrthodox Easter
April/MayEaster of Blajini
1 MayLabour Day
9 MayVictory DayIt commemorates Victory in Europe Day.[1]
1 June Children's Day It commemorates the Children's Day.
27 AugustIndependence DayIt commemorates the founding of the Declaration of Independence of Moldova.
31 AugustRomanian Language DayIt commemorates the national language of Moldova, the Romanian language.
25 DecemberChristmas Day

Other observances

International Children's Day celebrations in Chișinău, 2012
A concert in honor of the National Wine Day in 2006

In addition to the holidays, mentioned above, the following days are observed:

DateOfficial nameNotes
15 FebruaryAfghan War Veterans DayIt commemorates the end of the Soviet–Afghan War.[2]
27 AprilFlag DayIt commemorates the adoption of the Moldovan flag.[3]
10 JuneBorder Guards DayIt commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Border Police.
23 June Sovereignty Day It commemorates the founding of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Moldova.
29 JulyConstitution DayIt commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of Moldova.
24 AugustLiberation DayIt celebrates the end of the Second Jassy–Kishinev offensive. It is also celebrated in neighboring Romania as the Liberation from Fascist Occupation Day.
3 SeptemberNational Army DayIt commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Armed Forces.
8 OctoberNational Wine DayIt commemorates the production of Moldovan wine.
18 DecemberPolice DayIt commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Police Forces

Local holidays

In addition to the national holidays, cities, communes and cantonal authorities observe the following holidays:

DateOfficial nameRemarks
22 MayBălți DayPublic holiday just for Bălți
28 JuneGagauzia Liberation Day[4]Public holiday just for Gagauzia.
14 OctoberCapital's DayPublic holiday just for Chișinău.
21 NovemberCahul DayPublic holiday just for Cahul.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "9 mai - Ziua Victoriei şi a Comemorării Eroilor Căzuţi pentru Independenţa Patriei".
  2. ↑ "Moldova Marks Afghan War Veterans Day for First Time".
  3. ↑ Parliamentary Decision regarding the establishment of the Flag Day
  4. ↑ "COMRAT: "Ziua eliberării de sub ocupaţia fasciştilor români".
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